The Hurt Locker
Summit Entertainment | Release Date: June 26, 2009
7.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 1576 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
1,162
Mixed:
174
Negative:
240
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
MatthewMJun 27, 2009
Bigelow's POV work is incredible, sucking you into this hot, confusing, and terrifying world. Renner nails the gung-ho army ranger, who loves to stand out from his comrades but at the same time treat them like family. What I loved is Bigelow's POV work is incredible, sucking you into this hot, confusing, and terrifying world. Renner nails the gung-ho army ranger, who loves to stand out from his comrades but at the same time treat them like family. What I loved is how the soldiers are in a pointless battle that they cannot win or really change, yet they are committed and hooked to it... I am a film snob, but this is the only movie all year besides Sin Nombre that I really enjoyed.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
PatNJun 28, 2009
Just watch it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
EdNJun 29, 2009
Easily the best war movie since Saving Private Ryan and on par with Platoon. The film is real, restrained, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat for two and half hours. In a season dominated by movies inspired by and meant to sell toys, Easily the best war movie since Saving Private Ryan and on par with Platoon. The film is real, restrained, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat for two and half hours. In a season dominated by movies inspired by and meant to sell toys, here at last is some honest-to-God filmmaking.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SteveHJul 11, 2009
Very realistic movie with great acting. I'm not an Iraq veteren so I cannot vouch for authenticity but it seemed real. I think the movie was a bit too long and a few scenes didn't quite make it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
Z.H-RJul 13, 2009
One of the best war films I've seen in a long time.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
FantasyJul 15, 2009
A tremendous movie on the war in Iraq. It is a war we can never win as it is about two different cultures. We value life and the enemy doesn't. None of our boys want to be there but they are pawns in a game of life. Once we leave Iraq A tremendous movie on the war in Iraq. It is a war we can never win as it is about two different cultures. We value life and the enemy doesn't. None of our boys want to be there but they are pawns in a game of life. Once we leave Iraq the two religious warring factions will kill each other. Democracy will never take a foothold in the Middle East. As for our hero he has an obvious deathwish that sooner or later will be fulfilled. The acting, script, and directing is first rate. No holds barred look as to how ugly this war truly is. NO one will ever win.… Expand
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10
KristinaR.W.Jul 18, 2009
The best movie I've seen in years! Jeremy Renner is insanely good in this movie. As are Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty. I haven't watched the Oscars since the late 90s, but if Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal and all the actors are The best movie I've seen in years! Jeremy Renner is insanely good in this movie. As are Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty. I haven't watched the Oscars since the late 90s, but if Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal and all the actors are nominated, you bet I'll be sitting in front of my TV rooting for them all to win statues in 2010.… Expand
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10
JudCJul 19, 2009
This is possibly the best war movie ever. You feel like you should take a shower by the time you get home. Short of doing a tour of duty in Iraq, it can't get any more realistic and harrowing than this. Is it possible to get This is possibly the best war movie ever. You feel like you should take a shower by the time you get home. Short of doing a tour of duty in Iraq, it can't get any more realistic and harrowing than this. Is it possible to get post-traumatic syndrome from a film?… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MichaelJJul 25, 2009
This movie is a great character study and a must see. one of its most masterful strengths is how no character in the movie ever feel invincible I found myself constantly wondering if this moment was the character's last. the This movie is a great character study and a must see. one of its most masterful strengths is how no character in the movie ever feel invincible I found myself constantly wondering if this moment was the character's last. the movie's theme was not forced and instead rather subtle (even enough to make some viewers miss some of it) though very powerful. the ending is by far the most well put together i have ever seen in a war film. NOTE: In terms of accuracy and factualness though some scenes may seem fake (sniper scene) my sister who i saw it with is a psychologist who works for the VA, she told me that the characters were dead on in terms of emotions and the way the interact.… Expand
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10
EllaCJul 29, 2009
Absolutely the most compelling movie I've seen in several years. Beautifully directed and acted. Riveting from start to finish.
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10
PJWAug 11, 2009
Amazing performances and a great story. In my opinion, the best movie of the year so far. Jeremy Renner is incredible.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
KevinAAug 13, 2009
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was exciting from the get-go and never lets up. As far as it being realistic? I'm not one to ask as I've never served. For all of the comments by those who have served, it would be beneficial to I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was exciting from the get-go and never lets up. As far as it being realistic? I'm not one to ask as I've never served. For all of the comments by those who have served, it would be beneficial to both list the blatant accuracies that you site, and to refer some movies that do portray the soldier's plight in an accurate way. In the meantime, this movie was spectacular, realistic or unrealistic.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
KenHAug 18, 2009
Not only the best movie about the Iraq War but one of the best war movies EVER! Rarely does a war movie capture the feverish intensity, conflicting morality, and brutal reality of battle and the soldier. Simply awesome!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JeremyCAug 21, 2009
This was not a documentary about bomb disposal. This was a film about the human reaction to the overwhelming fear and finality of war. It's about the despair that feeds in Eldrige, the denial of the Col., the emptiness of Sanborn, and This was not a documentary about bomb disposal. This was a film about the human reaction to the overwhelming fear and finality of war. It's about the despair that feeds in Eldrige, the denial of the Col., the emptiness of Sanborn, and the certainty of war that drives James. This film must be interpreted through the opening quote. War is a drug. This film is about how human beings respond to that stimulus and how and why it becomes an all-consuming entity to some and a dice game to others. This was an excellent film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
GregQAug 27, 2009
Not much depth here. Well filmed and great acting all around, but the events in the movie don't match what really happens. Very entertaining, though.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
michaelwDec 23, 2009
Simply the best movie in a military setting.... Nothing quite like it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
Christopher_G2Jan 15, 2011
A masterpiece of cinema plain and simple. It's wonderfully crafted, perfectly paced, with incredibly tense sequences that would have made **** proud. It also deals with the effects of war on the human soul without ever being ham handed orA masterpiece of cinema plain and simple. It's wonderfully crafted, perfectly paced, with incredibly tense sequences that would have made **** proud. It also deals with the effects of war on the human soul without ever being ham handed or melodramatic. Along with Saving Private Ryan and Letters From Iwo Jima it's the finest War film I have seen of the last 20 years.… Expand
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9
ERG1008Aug 19, 2010
New man joins bomb disposal team in Iraq, day-to-day job of diffusing bombs & avoiding crossfire, camaraderie, conflict, decisions.
Almost documentary/fly-on-the-wall style film that does a fantastic job of capturing the atmosphere, tension &New man joins bomb disposal team in Iraq, day-to-day job of diffusing bombs & avoiding crossfire, camaraderie, conflict, decisions.
Almost documentary/fly-on-the-wall style film that does a fantastic job of capturing the atmosphere, tension & overall danger of these soldiers lives.
The acting & dialogue are very natural, great cameos, top-notch cinematography & the claustrophobia of the "bomb suit" scenes are thrilling & uncomfortable.
Excellent incidental music too.… Expand
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10
Tss5078Nov 28, 2015
I have never really enjoyed war films. I am by no means a pacifist, but to me all the stories seem to be the same, and until now, I've been uninterested. It wasn't until viewing the Academy's best picture of 2010, The Hurt Locker, that II have never really enjoyed war films. I am by no means a pacifist, but to me all the stories seem to be the same, and until now, I've been uninterested. It wasn't until viewing the Academy's best picture of 2010, The Hurt Locker, that I started to see things differently. In these films, it's not so much the story line that matters, but rather the characters that are featured in the film. The description of The Hurt Locker is just as bland as any other war picture, the story of a unit in Iraq that is responsible for disarming explosives. What makes this film so unique and made it the best film of 2010 was William James, played remarkably well by Jeremy Renner. Renner is known as an action star, so when I saw him nominated for best actor, I couldn't believe it. The truth is Renner's performance in this film was outstanding, because for once, he simply played himself. Renner may have been portraying a Sargent in Iraq, but the personality was his own. Director, Kathryn Bigelow, has become known for letting actors be themselves in developing their characters personalities, to the point where even some of the dialogue was in the spur of the moment. The Hurt Locker is a powerful film, with remarkable events and heartbreaking moments, but it's the films personality that is larger than life. I enjoyed every second of this film and it was truly the best choice the Academy could have made for best picture.… Expand
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8
imthenoobOct 25, 2012
I personally think it's incredibly underrated by users. Hurt Locker was a well done film. It was interesting to watch, well acted, and manage to suck you in all at the same time. Definently worth watching imo.
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7
Trev29Jul 5, 2013
It is certainly an attention grabber the moment the movie begins, but then it seems to just be repeating the same sequences over and over until it is a little boring. Editing was great along with the script. Overpraised, but it still a goodIt is certainly an attention grabber the moment the movie begins, but then it seems to just be repeating the same sequences over and over until it is a little boring. Editing was great along with the script. Overpraised, but it still a good movie that has a lot of great qualities.… Expand
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7
RayzorMooseNov 16, 2013
The Hurt Locker is spectacularly suspenseful.
The movie is filled with good acting especially from Jeremy Renner and good directing. The story is exceptionally well written, and despite being a little slow, the Hurt Locker still achieves success.
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9
CaesaroctopusMay 2, 2015
An excellent movie. Well-made and well acted, The Hurt Locker is an evocative and poignant picture of the War in Iraq and its soldiers. Jeremy Renner's character in particular is one of the most interesting characters in a war movie to date:An excellent movie. Well-made and well acted, The Hurt Locker is an evocative and poignant picture of the War in Iraq and its soldiers. Jeremy Renner's character in particular is one of the most interesting characters in a war movie to date: A Cavalier and Good-Natured Cowboy in an IED suit.… Expand
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7
Voodoo123Apr 19, 2022
Great cast, plot and action set pieces hammer in the point of war fatigue and mania that combat stress create in its participants.
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9
Meth-dudeMay 31, 2015
This is a truly powerful film.That job is pretty though and the movie shows it perfectly even if the movie is inaccurate with this job.With a very good script,an original idea,convincing characters and very good acting,The Hurt Locker is anThis is a truly powerful film.That job is pretty though and the movie shows it perfectly even if the movie is inaccurate with this job.With a very good script,an original idea,convincing characters and very good acting,The Hurt Locker is an awesome movie.… Expand
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10
hanneguacamoleJun 29, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Hurt Locker isn't about war, per se. I personally am not a fan of violence and for that reason tend to shy away from these types of movies as well as knowing a lot about combat, like was happening here. But I still found myself sitting at the edge of my seat (or bed) in anticipation.

This movie's strong point was easily the suspense. A wise man once said that he'd rather have a bomb under the table and not explode, than have the whole room blow up. These bombs did blow up, but I think Bigelow certainly took a piece of advice from Alfred Hitchock here, and props to her! Without suspense, it's just another war movie. The Hurt Locker is so much more. It's about James's need – and other's (Sanborn & Eldridge's) aversion – to being out there. It contemplates our differences and puts them in an environment where these differences shine through and lives are risked, and lost, daily.

Everything that we have been shown previously goes against James's demeanor, and he almost defies the odds to still be alive. The Superman of diffusing bombs in Iraq. Yet we see how one kid has the potential to pull at his heartstrings which is something that we learn his own kid even can't do to make him stay away. Because the rush of adrenaline and the need to risk his life is the only thing he loves anymore. It's his life, simple as that.

"This box is full of stuff that almost killed me." I'll never understand the way he puts his life on the line, but I'm not William James. Movies let us get to know people we'll never meet and take us to places we'll never be. I really can't think of a better example of a movie that fully encompasses that sentiment. We're transported. We're there. We see the fear and the danger and we're enthralled by what makes Sergeant First Class William James tick, because that thing is different for all of us.… Expand
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10
virtualPresenceJul 18, 2016
Im truly interested into watching a quality films only. And I think I developed a sense of quality film production. This is the one. Totally satisfied with actors and the writing. The only thing which sucks is -> the film like this should beIm truly interested into watching a quality films only. And I think I developed a sense of quality film production. This is the one. Totally satisfied with actors and the writing. The only thing which sucks is -> the film like this should be longer for 1 hour more like 3.5 hours of "highly realistic film" which suck my attention for the whole film into it and when it was done I wanted more but. If you want highly relistic film and anter into film to forget eistence than action drama hurt locker is for you. A MUST TO SEE.... very cool. actors does not feel to act at all ut so real....… Expand
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9
Dragonfly44Nov 27, 2017
A masterpiece held together by emotional scenes, strong acting and glorious action sequences. Definitely worth the watch and I would even go so far to say it’s sort of a hidden gem.
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8
TchaikovskyFeb 4, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I believe its a very good film about how real and cruel its every war. concretlly the war of Iraq.… Expand
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7
FilipeNetoJul 16, 2018
This film shows the danger to the anti-bomb crews in Iraq, where bomb attacks are a daily reality. The film focuses a lot on the relationships between team's soldiers and their new leader, who everyone thinks is too reckless. From there, itThis film shows the danger to the anti-bomb crews in Iraq, where bomb attacks are a daily reality. The film focuses a lot on the relationships between team's soldiers and their new leader, who everyone thinks is too reckless. From there, it invites us into the mind of this man and the way he faces his own work. The film also tries not to make judgments about war and violence. They don't appear to be criticized. The film accepts reality as it is and tells a story set in this reality. It's not a violent movie, but it's quite realistic and tough. It has punctual scenes with dead and some graphic hardness, as well as dialogues full of profanity and heavy slang, but this has fit perfectly in this type of film. It has several intense scenes full of suspense, able to leave the public with difficulty to breathe, where they gather almost all the ingredients common to other war movies, but what makes this film more valuable and different is and psychological load that it has, combined to its ideological neutrality. Kathryn Bigelow has done a great job directing and has responsibility for the final product's quality. Of the cast I highlight Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie, who were excellent apart and brilliant when they split the screen. Ralph Fiennes also appears but is almost a cameo. I also liked cinematography, full of warm colors and a somewhat misty and very subtle effect, as if there were constant dust in the air. It contributes a lot, in conjunction with the sets, environment and costumes, to take public to the Middle East.… Expand
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10
KRC161412_1Aug 20, 2018
Shows humor and depression being soldier. I enjoyed a lot. Nothing excessive, well balanced movie!
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8
ErikTheCriticOct 14, 2018
It's a pretty overrated film, but "The Hurt Locker" does contain one very suspenseful sniper sequence and some intense bomb-defusing scenes, and a cast that know exactly what they are doing.
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9
ValgethOct 3, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie was great visually, lots of excellent high definition close up shots and well timed slow motion shots. The characters were very good also, very interesting with a lot of depth to them, Eldridge's interactions with his therapist for example was really compelling. The main character James is a douche but a believable douche. It has a lot of realism mixed up with fiction, which is good, the sniper scene for example was especially realistic. The movie was very episodic, kinda directionless at times, but each little episode showed different kinds of IEDs and how the team handles them, which is great, I love military tech.… Expand
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9
FilmGuyDudeOct 30, 2020
Had to take a second glimpse at this anxiety fueled mesmerizing war film to understand it's execution. The directing is intense, Jeremy is superb, and the entire film overall is a grand work of art. Well done to everyone!
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9
geewahJan 24, 2021
Arguably the finest movie about the conflict in Iraq during the 2000's.
While it is a nail-biting ride, it is also a compelling character study.
One of 2009's best movies.
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7
AJ_13May 30, 2021
It manages to create tension and to make you feel like you are in Iraq. Really good directing and solid performances. However it may feel a bit repetitive, boring and unrealistic at times. Inglorious Basterds was robbed.
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10
cdougallAug 22, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Hurt Locker is a movie whose brutal realism and accuracy makes it an incredibly engaging and successful film. This film stars one of my favorite actors, Jeremy Renner, who gives one of the best performances of his career and is great in every scene that he is in. His character is complex and representative of what happens to many people who go to war; you learn more about him as the movie goes on even though he doesn’t develop that much as a character. Hurt Locker is a fantastic dramatization and portrayal of the Iraq War and what it was actually like for the soldiers who’ve been there and the many dangers they faced during their tours. While the characters themselves are made up, the situations that they’re put in aren’t, and the way this movie portrays those situations is very well done and extremely realistic of what those situations would be like if any of us were there. This film does have some fun dialogue and interactions between characters, but for the most part it strikes a serious and nihilistic tone, which is appropriate for its premise. Hurt Locker manages to build anxiety and make you nervous but in a different way from how horror movies do it; you’re not fearful about what’s going to happen next, but you know how high the stakes are for the characters which keeps you gripped your seat a little bit nonetheless. There are no jump scares in this movie, but it still has heart-racing moments in its own regard. There is one really upsetting moment that defines the emotional stakes and makes it clear that there are consequences for your actions, even if those actions aren’t harmful in intent. Hurt Locker isn’t an entertaining movie, but it’s a very engaging and interesting one. This isn’t a film you have fun with, but one you watch for appreciation of the script, directing, acting and story, especially considering that this movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture. This movie doesn’t have a lot of rewatch value, but it’s good to see it every few years or so just to remind yourself of what happens (it’s also a plus, for me, that there are 4 MCU actors in this movie, Renner being one of them, though none were in the MCU at the time). The end is satisfying and could’ve definitely been the set-up for a sequel, but I’m glad that a sequel was never made since Hurt Locker stands so well on it’s own. Despite how many guns and explosions are in this movie, this isn’t quite a film for those who are fans of Call of Duty or GTA, though it does come close at times. For me, this movie is a must-see for people who appreciate good and realistic filmmaking and who are interested in the genre.… Expand
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9
NickTheCritickDec 4, 2021
Probabily a masterpiece in building tension and suspense. This movie, beautifully shot by Bigelow, explores a typical day of a bomb squad in Iraq and the psychological effect that a job like this can create (with all the repercussions on realProbabily a masterpiece in building tension and suspense. This movie, beautifully shot by Bigelow, explores a typical day of a bomb squad in Iraq and the psychological effect that a job like this can create (with all the repercussions on real life). It's also built on a solid performance by all the actors, especially Jeremy Renner who is at his best here. It's probabily the best Bigelow's movie.… Expand
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9
royalguy07Jan 23, 2023
The moment to moment technical filmmaking during the big set piece moments was incredible.
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8
Richard552Aug 10, 2022
And the performance by Jeremy Renner in the lead role is fantastic. I understand that many parts of the movie are "unrealistic", as many people have complained about, but 100% of fictional movies are unrealistic.
$1 to buy a Netflix account,And the performance by Jeremy Renner in the lead role is fantastic. I understand that many parts of the movie are "unrealistic", as many people have complained about, but 100% of fictional movies are unrealistic.
$1 to buy a Netflix account, Google search: vtvshare… Expand
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10
NdrwdvdbrsnOct 9, 2022
Kathryn Bigelow's film, The Hurt Locker, is a bit of a controversial best picture winner, but overall, I feel it's a great film. It's expertly directed, well written, and contains artistry in all of the smaller details. Sergeant First ClassKathryn Bigelow's film, The Hurt Locker, is a bit of a controversial best picture winner, but overall, I feel it's a great film. It's expertly directed, well written, and contains artistry in all of the smaller details. Sergeant First Class William James is one of the most interesting film protagonists in history.… Expand
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